BXBX NOVEL Chapter 68: Heroine Watched Sunset
"We've arrived," Lucan said, his voice tinged with satisfaction. "This is the hill where you can see the sunset."
Maris gasped softly as she took in the view before her. "Wow…!"
Lucan had brought Maris to a vantage point just beneath the lighthouse, a place where the entire expanse of the sea lay stretched out before them. It was a breathtaking sight, made all the more magnificent by the timing of their arrival. The sun, a fiery orb on the western horizon, was just beginning its descent, casting a warm, golden light across the water.
The sea below was a shimmering canvas of amber, reflecting the vibrant hues of the sky above.
The sky itself was a masterpiece, a blend of deep blue and fiery orange, with streaks of pink and purple clouds lazily drifting across the horizon. The colors were so vivid, so alive, that they seemed to pulse with a life of their own, painting the world in a surreal glow that felt almost magical.
"It's beautiful…" Maris whispered, her voice filled with awe as she gazed at the scene before her.
"Ah, it's beautiful indeed," Lucan agreed, his tone soft, almost reverent.
This spot was well-known for its romantic atmosphere, a place where couples often came to watch the sunset together. It was a location Lucan had remembered from the game, a place where Maris could have been invited by one of the characters if she had raised their affection high enough.
It was the perfect setting for a quiet, intimate moment, one where the beauty of nature seemed to conspire to bring people closer together.
As they stood there, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them and the endless expanse of sea and sky.
Maris, overcome by the beauty of the moment, gently leaned her head against Lucan's shoulder. "Beautiful. Truly beautiful…" she murmured, her words barely more than a breath.
This was Maris's first trip, her first time experiencing the world beyond the confines of her everyday life, and he wanted to make it as memorable as possible for her.
"Lucan-sama…" Maris's voice was soft, almost hesitant.
"Hm?" Lucan responded, turning his gaze from the horizon to look at her.
Maris remained silent for a moment, her expression thoughtful, as if she were trying to gather her thoughts. When she finally looked up at him, Lucan was struck by the sight. Her cheeks were flushed with a soft, rosy hue, possibly from the setting sun, giving her a delicate, almost ethereal glow.
Her light blue eyes were wide and luminous, reflecting the dying light of the day, and her lips, slightly parted, glistened with a hint of moisture.
She looked… breathtaking.
"Lucan-sama…" Maris called his name again, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucan's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. There was something different about her in this moment, something that went beyond her usual beauty. It was the way she looked at him, the way she seemed to be drawing closer, her eyes fluttering shut as if in anticipation of something… something more.
Maris stood on her tiptoes, closing the small distance between them, her face inching closer to his. Her breath mingled with his, warm and sweet, and for a moment, Lucan found himself mesmerized by the delicate beauty of her features. Her long eyelashes, her soft, pink lips, the way her hair framed her face in loose, damp curls—it was all so… inviting.
Lucan's mind raced, his thoughts a jumble of emotions. Maris's proximity, her evident desire, stirred something deep within him, something primal and instinctive. But even as his heart pounded in his chest, he knew he had to keep his composure. This was Maris, after all. He can't get into relationship with her yet.
But in that moment, with her so close, her lips just a breath away from his, it was hard to remember that.
"Lucan-sama…" Maris whispered his name one last time, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and vulnerability.
And then, before he could stop himself, Lucan leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to her forehead.
When he pulled back, Maris opened her eyes, blinking in surprise. Her expression was a mix of emotions—disappointment, confusion, but also a quiet acceptance. She had been hoping for a kiss on the lips, something more intimate, but the kiss on her forehead was still… something good.
"Lucan-sama…" she began, her voice soft, but Lucan shook his head slightly, offering her a small smile.
"It's getting dark," he said gently, trying to ease the tension of the moment. "We should head back."
Maris hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, you're right." Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of something else there—disappointment, perhaps, or maybe just a lingering sense of what could have been.
As they made their way back down the path, the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky painted with the last remnants of twilight. The stars began to twinkle overhead, the night air cool and crisp after the warmth of the day. They walked in companionable silence.
When they finally reached the mansion, Lucan stopped and turned to Maris, who had been lost in thought beside him. "Oh, I almost forgot," he said, his tone light. "There's a restaurant nearby. How about we get changed and head there for dinner?"
Maris looked up at him, her expression brightening at the suggestion. "That sounds wonderful," she said, her earlier disappointment seeming to melt away at the prospect of a new adventure.
Lucan smiled and nodded, leading her back inside. They quickly changed into more appropriate attire—Maris slipping into a beautiful dress that was modest and elegant, a stark contrast to the daring bikini she had worn earlier in the day. The dress was a soft shade of blue, the color of the evening sky, and it flowed gracefully around her as she moved.
When she emerged, Lucan couldn't help but admire how lovely she looked, the dress complementing her natural beauty perfectly. "You look beautiful," he said simply, offering her his arm.
Maris blushed at the compliment, a shy smile gracing her lips as she took his arm. "Thank you, Lucan-sama."